My Journey

If you were to ask me when I became a writer, I'd have to say that I started as
soon as I was old enough to hold a pencil.  I have always loved to write, and in elementary school, I'd create all sorts of poems and elaborates stories.  When I
was in junior high, I thought I'd try my hand at writing a novel (ha!).  I got about
60 pages into it and decided to hold off until I was older.

In college, I studied to become a teacher.  I taught for seven years and filled my classroom shelves with hundreds, if not thousands, of books.  Reading to my students was my favorite part of the day, and the more books I read, the more I wanted to write. 

When I had my son in 2004, I decided to leave my teaching position to care for him.  Being home gave me the opportunity to write, and I started on the path to fulfilling my lifelong dream.  In 2005, I sold my first piece of writing.  It was a short poem that was published by Wee Ones Magazine. 

Once I received that acceptance, I knew I had to keep on writing.  In the fall of 2005, I joined SCBWI and two fabulous critique groups: the Poets' Garage and The Prose Shop.  I have learned so much from my critique partners and made some wonderful friends in the process. 

I am now published in numerous magazines, as well as
several books.  I have many more ideas tucked in the corners of my mind, and hopefully, they'll soon find their
way onto the printed page.

In addition to writing, there are many things that I enjoy doing, including reading, photography, hiking, camping, gardening, and cooking.  I also love taking care of my two children and our beagle, Lily (that's her on the right).

Quotes on Writing 

I love quotes!  I enjoy all kinds of quotes, but especially those about writing.  Here are some of my favorites:

"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
~ Mark Twain

"If the doctor told me I had six minutes to live, I'd type a little faster."
~ Isaac Asimov

"Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators." ~ Olin Miller

"Being a good writer is 3% talent, 97% not being distracted by the Internet."
~ Anonymous

"Never throw up on an editor." ~ Ellen Datlow